Controlled chaos is an apt description for the first day of school at many schools across the Arkansas River Valley.

Every student was accounted for, no teachers quit, and except for long drop-off and pick-up lines — and some sad kindergartners and their parents — the day went off without much of a hitch across the Arkansas River Valley.

Nerves were heightened for many students who were entering kindergarten or advancing to new campuses. Some teachers also experienced nerves and jittery stomachs on the first day of school because it was, in fact, their first day as teachers.

One new second-grade teacher at Dover said she changed outfits several times, even though she thought she had the perfect outfit laid out on her bed the night before.

“I know I am prepared for this,” Amber Race said. “But this morning, I was really nervous. I can’t believe I went through so many outfits. Everyone keeps telling me to just breathe and let the day happen. This is going to be an exciting year for me and my students.”

Kathryn Young is a new fifth-grade teacher at the Russellville Upper Elementary Fifth Grade (UE5G) campus. She said she too was nervous for the first day of school.

Young said aside from her preparation at Arkansas Tech University, she has received guidance and assistance from Russellville School District’s New Teacher Academy.

The academy was developed by Assistant Superintendent Alene Bynum to offer support to new teachers and administrators entering the Russellville School District for the first time. The academy provides professional development, networking, technology assistance and guidance from staff at the administration, district and building levels.

“The academy was very informative and supportive,” Young said. “It was really cool to have that kind of support for my first year teaching. My mentor is Mrs. Vonnie Dunbar, and she has been so helpful. I know I am prepared for the classroom, but the academy really offers additional support I wouldn’t have otherwise.”

Young said having a mentor who taught the same grade as her for many years helped her plan for her first year of teaching. She said one thing college didn’t prepare her for was exactly how time-consuming being a teacher really is.

“I never knew how much work really went into being a teacher,” Young said. “I had to spend extra time getting my classroom prepared and planning my lessons.”

Young said one exciting aspect of teaching fifth grade in Russellville is the fact that this is the first year students from around the district come together for the first time. She has students from several elementary schools who will graduate together.

“Fifth grade is a new campus for my students, and that is as exciting for me as it is them,” Young said of her excitement about the school year. “We are learning about fifth grade together. Once we get into a routine, everything will work just a little smoother.”

Editor’s note: The Courier will be checking in with Kathryn Young throughout the school year for additional insights from the first-year teacher.